Joint for railroad-switches



(N oMOdeL) G.'GARDNER. Joint for-Railroad Switches.

---N 236,152. I I Patented Jan. 4, I881. y

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- INVENTOR ITNESSES. 0/ WW3 3', I

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE GARDNER, OF WOODS STATION, OHIO.

JOINT FOR RA l LROAD-SWITCH ES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,152, dated January 4, 1881.

Application filed August 16, 1880. (No model.)

ings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of tracks provided with my hinged joints, and Fig. 2 is a perspective elevation of the joint itself.

The object of this invention is to provide a hinged joint at the point where the rails of the main track and side track cross each other, so as to dispense with the dangerous frogs now in use.

In order to diminish the necessary throw of the swinging ends of the rails and to diminish the width of the rails to be moved, the four rails of the two main tracks are con verged into three rails, and similarly the eight rails of the two main and two side tracks are converged into five rails.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the rails of the main track, bound together at suitable distances by means of the tie-rods A, as in switches of this character,

the meeting endsof said rails resting upon a metal plate, a, which rests on the large dle wooden tie, 1).

Referring to Fig-" 2, it will be noticed that the branch rails B are tapered, so that when midplaced side by side, (with their opposite ends,

as indicated by the dotted lines, will bend suffieiently from the hinged joint to the end; or, if desired, a slotted aperture for the reception of the bolt F may be made in the tongue H of the hinge, so as to allow sufficient play to give a lateral movement to the opposite end of the rail.

' Various modifications of the hinge portion can be made without departing from the spirit of my invention; but my object is to permanently secure the two ends of the branch rails C, so that no matter in which direction the rail A may be turned the point usually occupied by the old-fashioned frog will be left as safe as any other part of the track. Further than this, the great objection to having long rails like A unsupported is provided for from the fact that, the hinges being on both sides of the rail, there will be no liability of the rail turnin g over by the lateral thrust of the car-wheels, as is frequently the case.

In Fig. l I show the disposition of the main and side tracks as used with my improved switch-joint. The dotted lines show the positions of the rails A when switched from one track to the other. This is accomplished by means of the lever K, pivoted to the tie b, and hinged on each side of the tie to the tie-rods J, fastened to the rails A.

The two main tracks are united at min such a manner that the middle rail forms'one of the rails for each track, and since each rail, where joined to the converging lines, is provided with the hinged joint, it can easily be moved, will be perfectly firm and upright, and will leave no opening between the rails.

The exterior diverging rails represent the ends of side tracks; but, if desired, an additional track or tracks can be added at each end of the switch.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The tapered converging rails B B, secured together permanently by means of bolts or otherwise, and hinged to the movable rail A by means of the loose hinges D G on each side of said rails, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The hinged switch-joint herein described, which consists in having the abutting ends of switch-rails joined by means of loose hinges D G, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of August, A. D. 1880, in the presence of witnesses.

GEORGE GARDNER.

Witnesses:

ISAAC RoYERs, OHAs. P. KRAMER. 

